“Eugene Stone Soccer Stadium is close to my heart having been a player for Furman. I understand firsthand how this stadium allows us the opportunity to provide the Greenville FC community a meaningful experience," club president Marco Carizzales said.

Stone Stadium has a 3,000-seat capacity.

Carrizales was a midfielder for the Paladins from 2014-2015 after transferring from Southern Methodist University.

The club also announced a partnership with Greenville marketing firm RingoFire.

Greenville FC is a member of the National Premier Soccer League.

The league, which began in 2003, now has nearly 100 clubs that compete in four regions and 14 conferences.

Greenville, the only team in the state, will compete in the Southeast Conference of the South region and will face clubs from North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Louisiana. Team officials anticipate a rivalry developing with Asheville City Soccer Club.

The regular season begins in May and runs through June, with playoffs running into August.

The news comes days after Greenville Chamber president and CEO Carlos Phillips announced the city was in talks with the United Soccer League to bring a second team to the area, starting in the the 2019 season.

Steven Short, vice president of the D3 circuit of the USL, met with local business leaders last July and left feeling optimistic about Greenville’s chances of landing a franchise in the new league.

“Greenville is right there at the top of our list,” Short said.

Stone Stadium was a potential venue of interest Short mentioned, along with Greenville High's Sirrine Stadium and the Greenville Drive's Fluor Field.